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Montevideo, the thriving capital of Uruguay, is situated on the banks of the Rio de la Plata where the river empties into the Atlantic Ocean. The South American city, which was founded in 1724, is home to one-third of the country’s population and is the cultural center of Uruguay.
Touted as one of the best places to visit in Uruguay, we spent 4 days in Montevideo exploring the city before heading to the beautiful Uruguay beaches on the eastern shoreline. During our visit, we discovered many of the best things to do in Montevideo, Uruguay!
Best Things To Do in Montevideo
Our list includes our top tips of what to do in Montevideo. We also include a link to a helpful map of sights at the end of the post – as well as other useful information about getting to Montevideo and where to stay.
Save, Pin or Bookmark this Montevideo Visitors Guide so that you can plan your trip to Uruguay!
#1 Admire the Architecture on Plaza Independencia
Montevideo’s main thoroughfare, Avenue 18 de Julio, runs from the Estadio Centenario football (soccer) stadium in the east to the historic Plaza Independencia. This historic square is a Montevideo must-see! Featuring grand architecture and important sites, the square marks the entrance into the Montevideo Old Town.
Palacio Salvo
Marking the east end of the square is the hard-to-miss 26-story Palacio Salvo, which is one of the most famous buildings in Uruguay. The 330-foot-tall building was completed in 1928 and – at the time – was the tallest building in Latin America. Inside the building, visitors can visit the Montevideo Tango Museum.
Artigas Statue and Mausoleum
At the center of Plaza Independencia is an enormous equestrian statue of Jose Artigas, the man who is credited with liberating Uruguay in the early 1800s. A mausoleum containing his remains, which is guarded by soldiers around the clock, sits beneath the statue.
Puerta de la Ciudadela
The Puerta de la Ciudadel – or Gateway of the Citadel – stands on the west end of the square. It is the only remaining portion of the city walls (the rest were dismantled in 1829) that once surrounded the Old Town of Montevideo.
Teatro Solis
On the southwest corner of Plaza Independencia is the historic Teatro Solis. The theater first opened in 1856 and is still used for performances of opera, ballet, concerts and plays.
#2 Visit Plaza Constitucion and Montevideo Cathedral
The charming Plaza Constitucion is the oldest square in Montevideo. Rather than an open plaza, a park is found at the center. The cafes that ring the square spill out onto sidewalks and – on the west side of the square – is the Montevideo Cathedral.
Catedral Basilica de Montevideo
The Catholic Catedral Basilica de Montevideo or Iglesia Matriz – Montevideo Metropolitan Cathedral or Mother Church – was built in the late 1700s, when the city was a Spanish colony. Declared a cathedral in 1878 and a Basilica in 1897, the church is one the National Historic Uruguay Landmarks.
#3 Walk the Rambla on the Rio de la Plata
The Rambla – a nearly 14-mile-long sidewalk – follows the coastline around the city…and strolling along the Rambla is one of the top things to do in Montevideo. Both visitors and locals use La Rambla for a variety of activities. Along the path (which can be used for walking, running or biking), there are areas for fishing, sunbathing and plenty of places to sit down and enjoy the view.
Montevideo Beaches
One of the top things to do in Uruguay is a visit to the beaches (it was precisely that reason we took our trip to the country) – and you don’t need to leave Montevideo to hit the sand. Although the best beaches in Uruguay (like Punta del Este) are located outside the Montevideo city center, there are easily accessible beaches in Montevideo via La Rambla. Although not a short walk, Playa Ramirez (Ramirez Beach) is about a 3-mile walk on the Rambla and the more popular Playa Pocitos (Pocitos Beach) is about 5.5 miles from Old City Montevideo.
#4 Take a Day Trip from Montevideo to Colonia del Sacramento
Spending a day in Colonia del Sacramento is one of the best day trips from Montevideo. As one of the well-preserved cities in Uruguay, the historic old town has been dedicated a UNESCO World Heritage site. The quaint town sits on the north bank of the Rio de La Plata across from Buenos Aires.
Things To Do in Colonia, Uruguay
Get acquainted with the city with our list of recommended Colonia, Uruguay things to do. Note: Colonia sights are not featured on our Montevideo map; use this Google Maps link instead.
- Colonia City Gate – Enter the historic city via a wooden drawbridge and explore the remains of the Colonia Old City Walls.
- Calle de los Suspiros – Stroll down Calle de los Suspiros (the Street of Sighs). The ancient Portuguese street features original pavement and tile as well as stucco buildings from the first colonial period.
- Iglesia Matriz – Visit Iglesia Matriz, formally known as the Basilica of the Holy Sacrament, which was built in 1680.
- The Faro – Climb to the top of the Colonia Faro (lighthouse) for sea and city views. The lighthouse was built between 1845-1857.
- Rio de la Plata – Stand on the banks of the river, Rio de la Plata, for a view of Buenos Aires in the distance.
Top Tip: Visit Colonia with a guide on an organized tour from Montevideo. Get the details here!
#5 Eat at Mercado del Puerto, Montevideo
The Mercado del Puerto was constructed using an iron framework in the mid-1800s. When the Port Market opened in 1868, vendors sold fresh produce and meat. Frequented by famous musicians, writers and politicians, Mercado del Puerto slowly evolved into individual eateries, rather than a marketplace.
Today, the market is one of the top Montevideo tourist attractions. Visitors can sample a range of local food from various restaurants inside Mercado del Puerto. Highly recommended are the grilled sausages, empanadas and of course the famous Chivito sandwich!
Find out more about Uruguayan Food in our article, What to Eat in Montevideo.
Montevideo Tourist Map
Use this link to Google Maps that highlights our recommended Montevideo sights that you won’t want to miss on your trip to Uruguay!
More Montevideo, Uruguay Tourist Attractions
Want more tips of what to do in Montevideo, Uruguay? We haven’t personally visited these sites, but they are rated as some of the best places to visit in Montevideo by fellow travelers. Add one – or more – to your Montevideo sightseeing adventure!
- Mercado Agricola Montevideo Market
- Andes Museum
- Estadio Centenario Football Stadium
- Juan Manuel Blanes Museum
- Feria de Tristan Narvaja Flea Market
- Casino Carrasco
- Palacio Legislativo National Historic Monument
Tour Montevideo, Uruguay
Want a guide to lead the way to top Montevideo attractions while you learn about the history of the city? Join one of the highly-rated Montevideo tours! Visitors can book a popular Montevideo bus tour on Viator. Travelers can also hire a private guide for a Montevideo city tour that includes all the highlights and an optional Uruguay wine tasting. Find out more here!
How Many Days in Montevideo?
We really enjoyed having 4 days in Montevideo, but tourists with less time can still have a great experience.
What To Do in Montevideo in One Day
Visitors with only one day in Montevideo will have some limitations on what they can see…but they can still see a lot! We recommend spending the day sightseeing Montevideo city center and, if time permits, enjoying the beach for a few hours. On the other hand, visitors could book one of the private Montevideo, Uruguay tours to see sights further afield.
What To Do with 2 Days in Montevideo
It is possible to tick off all our recommendations for the Best Things To Do in Montevideo in just two days. Visitors will need one day for Montevideo activities and one for a day trip to Colonia.
Getting to Montevideo, Uruguay
Montevideo can be reached by plane, bus or boat, making it easy to get to from other countries in South America and beyond. We flew to Montevideo from Phoenix (via Miami), used a bus for our day trip Colonia and departed via boat to Buenos Aires, Argentina.
Montevideo Airport
The Carrasco International Airport (MVD), which is located northeast of Montevideo, is the largest airport in Uruguay. The airport is serviced by major airlines, including American Airlines, LATAM, Iberia and Avianca. Start your search for the best price on flights on SkyScanner. You can book private transfers from the airport into the city center in advance on Viator.
Montevideo Bus Station
The main Montevideo bus station is Tres Cruces Terminal. International, regional and local routes depart/terminate at the station. Many tour buses also use Tres Cruces. Buses are an affordable method of transport in Montevideo. Visitors can catch a direct bus to Colonia del Sacramento or the bus to Punta del Diablo from the main Montevideo station. The buses used for longer trips are impeccably clean, have comfortable, reclining seats and often offer free Wi-Fi.
Port Of Montevideo
There is a ferry from Buenos Aires to Montevideo operated by Buquebus, but expect ticket prices to exceed $100 USD for a one-way ticket. A less-expensive route is to take the Cacciola boat from Buenos Aires to Colonia, then take a bus to Montevideo.
Where To Stay in Montevideo
We think Barrio Sur is the best area to stay in Montevideo. The district is near the city center, Ciudad Vieja and the Rio de la Plata coast. During our Montevideo visit, we stayed in mid-range accommodations at Hotel Iberia (where the rooms were clean and the staff was friendly). There are numerous accommodation options when it comes to Montevideo Hotels and Airbnb Apartments which are priced for a range of budgets.
We recommend you start your search for accommodations in Montevideo on Booking.com – like we do!
Top Tips For Your Trip to Uruguay
- Montevideo completely shuts down for some holidays, like Labor Day (May 1). We were caught unaware and found everything (and we mean everything!) closed. Check to see if you trip coincides with a holiday so that you can properly prepare!
- Be sure to get (and stay) organized for your vacation to Uruguay by using our Trip Planning Printables!
- You will likely see locals walking around drinking Mate (pronounced Mah-tay) from a small mug in hand and the thermos tucked into the crook of their arm. Mate is the national drink of Uruguay…but takes some practice to drink it properly!
- Montevideo is a walkable city…but only if you pack the right travel shoes! Don’t forget to pack a pair of lightweight and comfortable walking shoes for your trip. I (Sarah) have traveled with these shoes by Columbia and Skechers. Kris prefers wearing these shoes by Merrell.
- It’s easy to get turned around in any foreign city! Make sure to have a good city map. And of course don’t forget your travel camera!
- Whether you travel with a backpack or a suitcase, you will also need a proper day pack to keep all your daily travel items secure and organized.
- If you haven’t already obtained travel insurance for your trip to Uruguay, consider traveling protected with World Nomads.
Start planning your trip to Montevideo, Uruguay! Search for the lowest airfares, the best accommodations and fun things to do…then start packing! Want more travel planning tips? Head over to our Travel Planning page for more information and tips on traveling – and for country-specific information, take a look at our Travel Guides page!
Also Traveling to Argentina? Be sure to read our top tips in our Complete Guide to Buenos Aires along with all the Best Things To Do in Bariloche!
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